7 Really Affordable Cruises

Don’t you love the feeling you get when a cruise fare makes you rub your eyes in disbelief or, better yet, dance for joy? We do. Booking a great deal — as in under $500 per person — makes taking the cruise even more enjoyable. Here are seven affordable cruises we found that you can reserve right now.

1. Four-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Victory

Every day could feel like a Jimmy Buffett song on this short sailing to two sunny islands.

What You’ll Get on Board: The 2,754-passenger Carnival Victoryhas Camp Carnival and Seuss at Sea for the kids and the Serenity adults-only area and ZSpa for grown-ups.

Where You'll Go: This itinerary, available weekly through 2018 from Miami, calls on lively Key West and the beach-ringed Mexican island of Cozumel.

Fab Feature You Wouldn’t Expect at This Rate: The Taste Bar, a tapas-style eatery, lets you sample dishes from restaurants located across the fleet — and it’s free.

Lowest Price We’ve Seen: $179 per person for an Inside Cabin; $229 for an Ocean View; $329 for a Balcony

2. Seven-Night South America Cruise on Norwegian Sun

It’s beginning to look a lot like summer in the southern hemisphere, and this cruise takes you from the tango halls of Buenos Aires to the beach resorts of Punta del Este.

What You’ll Get on Board: The 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun is fresh from a refurbishment, part of a fleet-wide $400 million initiative.

Where You'll Go: This itinerary (available on February 5, 2017 and March 24, 2017) begins in Buenos Aires, calls on Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay, Santos and Ilhéus in Brazil, then ends in Rio de Janeiro.

Fab Feature You Wouldn’t Expect at This Rate: Don't miss "Rock You Tonight," a tribute to the music of Queen, Journey, and The Who.

Lowest Price We’ve Seen: $299 per person for an Inside Cabin; $329 for Ocean View; $499 for a Balcony

3. Seven-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Divina

Book now for September through November 2017 sailings and you can grab a fab fare on a classic Caribbean itinerary.

What You’ll Get on Board: Italian-owned, 3,502-passenger MSC Divina has a lively Mediterranean vibe which is reflected in its cuisine and décor. We especially like the Eataly restaurant.

Where You'll Go: This itinerary, cruising roundtrip from Miami, visits Nassau in the Bahamas, Philipsburg in St. Maarten, and San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Fab Feature You Wouldn’t Expect at This Rate: Kids age 11 and under cruise for free (when in a cabin with adults) and there are complimentary Chicco strollers and baby backpacks to borrow.

Lowest Price We’ve Seen: $400 per person for an Inside Cabin; $500 for an Ocean View

4. Seven-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Costa Diadema

Summer crowds are gone but the temperate Mediterranean still has a lot to offer, and this winter itinerary makes a magnifica last-minute escape.

What You’ll Get on Board: At 3,724 passengers, Costa Diademais the largest ship in the fleet.